The APR is 4%, so the semi-annual interest rate is 2%. If you
deposit $10,000 in the bank after every six months, you will have $85,829.69 in
the bank at the end of 4 years:
1. After
six months you will have $10,000
2. After
one year you will have 10,000x1.02+10,000 = $20,200
3. After
1.5 years you will have $20,200x1.02+10,000 = $30,604
4. After
2 years you will have $30,604x1.02+10,000 = $41,216.08
5. After
2.5 years you will have $41,216.08x1.02+10,000 = $52,040.40
6. After
3 years you will have $52,040.40x1.02+10,000 = $63,081.21
7. After
3.5 years you will have $63,081.21x1.02+10,000 = $74,342.83
8. After
4 years you will have $74,342.83x1.02+10,000 = $85,829.69
The present value of that $85,829.69, discounting at 2% is $73,254.81
(i.e. $85,829.69/(1.02^8)), so if you put this amount in the bank now, and make
the payments every six months, there will be nothing left in the account after
four years.